Sister Coleman, O.P.

Sister Mary Frances Coleman, formerly known as Sister Williamine Coleman, died on Jan. 13, 2014, at the Dominican Life Center in Adrian, Mich.

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The Daily Telegram - Adrian, MI

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Posted Jan. 14, 2014 at 10:04 AM

Posted Jan. 14, 2014 at 10:04 AM

ADRIAN

Sister Mary Frances Coleman, formerly known as Sister Williamine Coleman, died on Jan. 13, 2014, at the Dominican Life Center in Adrian, Mich. She was 97 years of age and in the 74th year of her religious profession in the Adrian Dominican Congregation.

Sister Mary Frances was born in Chicago, Ill., to William and Josephine (Hedderman) Coleman. She graduated from St. Mary High School in Chicago, Ill., and received a bachelor of commercial education degree in business education from Siena Heights College (University) in Adrian, Mich.; a master of arts degree in Spanish from Catholic University in Washington, D.C.; and a doctor of philosophy degree in Spanish from Santo Domingo University in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.

Sister spent 26 years ministering in education in Detroit, Rockwood, and Adrian, Mich.; Miami Shores, Fla.; Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic; St. Charles and Chicago, Ill. Sister was the administrator of Colegio Santo Domingo from 1958 to 1964 and served as the Vicaress of the ADLAM Province in Santo Domingo from 1970 to-1972. She was the Apostolic Research Director for St. Dominic Province in Chicago, Ill., for one year. From 1974 to 1975 Sister did translation work in Rome, Italy, and the Dominican Motherhouse in Adrian, Mich. She was office manager for Eighth Day Center in Chicago for five years; secretary for the Archdiocese of Chicago for one year and researcher for Opus (United States Dominican History) for 11 1/2 years. She also contributed to the writing of the book: “Dominicans at Home in a Young Nation: 1786-1865”, Volume 1 of “The Order of Preachers in the United States: A Family History.” Sister became a resident of the Dominican Life Center in Adrian, Mich., in 2002.

Sister is survived by a niece, Sister Maureen O’Connell, also an Adrian Dominican.

Visitation is from 6:15 to 7 p.m. Friday, Jan. 17, 2014, in the Rose Room at the Dominican Life Center. A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered in St. Catherine Chapel at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 18, 2014. Burial will be in the Congregation cemetery.